Mold for musical-instrument mouthpieces



Nov. 20, 1928.

W. F. SCHMALZ ET A}.

MOLD FOR MUSICAL INSTRUMENT MOUTHPIEGES Filed Sept. 11, 1926 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 fm ntar's MY/fam E Schma/z Hubs rt E 70022 zztarney Nov. 20, 1928. 1,692,352

W. F. SCHMALZ ET AL MOLD FOR'MUSICAL INSTRIJMENT MOUTHPIECES h s ntars M X/[Em F 55/7275]: 1 70152215 E 1700b 5 M Wim /V- j fil'tarn y Nov. 20, 1928'. 1,692,352 r W. F. SCHMALZ ET AL MOLD FOR MUSICAL INSTRUMENT MOUTHPIECES Fi led Sept. 11, 1926 /4 a Sheets-Sheet 5 invent-Dr's MIA am F 55/707522 5 027521 5- E Dada flti'arn y iii Patented Nov. 20, 1928.

{UNITED tsT-ATE-s PATENT: OFFICE.

WILLIAM F. SCHMALZ, on ROCKVILLE, AND

ROBERT E. DODD, or HARTFORD, coN- ,1\T EC1'1ICU'1,v ASSIGNORS,.BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO GOLTS. PATENT FIRE ARMS MANUFACTURING- NEc'rIoUT.

MOLD FOR MUSICAL-INSTRUMENT MOUTHPIECES.

Application filed September 11, 1926. Serial No. 134,855

'lheinvention isparticularly applicable to a mold for molding a mouthpiece for a musical instrument such as a clarinet or saxophone, but it is to be understood. that the invention is'not necessarily limited to mouth pieces for the instrumentsmentioned. It is further to'be understood thatthe invention in its broader aspects may be applicable to the molding of other articles similar inshape to musical instrument mouth pieces.

The principal object of the'invention-is to provide a mold for musical instrument mouth pieces or similar articles so thatthese articles canb'e satisfactorily made from moldedmaterial without excessive cost and without the necessity for; any considerable amount of machine work or other finishing work afterthe iolding operation. A

Further and more specific objects of the inventionwill be apparent: from the following specification and claims.

.In the 'acconqianying drawings wehave shown one form of mold adapted tormolding themouth piece of a clarinet, but it will be understood that the drawings are intended for illustrative purposes only and that, without departing from the spirit of theinvention as set forth in the claims, the shape or the mouth piece can be varied and the details of construction of the mold itself can be varied.

Of the drawings: j

1 is a perspective viewota mouth piece suchas can be molded. in accordance with the invention. I

Fig. 2 is a vertical transverse sectional View through amold embodying the invention, the

view being taken along the line 2-2 oi Fig. 3.

Fig. 3 is a combined'e'levational and longitudinal sectional view of the-mold, the section being-taken along the line 38of Fig. 2.

Fig. atis a horizontal sectional view-taken along the line l-4 of Fig. 2. 1

Fig. 5 is a view showing the'sa-meparts as Fig. 2, but showingthem separated from each other..

Figs. 6, 7 and 8-are transverse sectional views showingsuccessive steps in the assembly and use of the mold during the molding operation.

Fig. 9 is a transverse sectional'view showing one of the steps in the disassembly of the mold preparatory to'the removal of the moldj ed article.

' piece or other ter convenience of construction therccess" 2 1s initially extended entirely through the 5 thatt-hey 00., or HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT, A CORPORATION or 001v.-

Referring to Fig. l of the drawings M rep resents' a mouth piece for. a clarinet, this mouthpiece-being of conventional design. It is provided with a tubular body (twhich is providedat its endwith a diagonal: wallwh and which at the side opposite the wall I) is formed with a flat surface or lay '0. Formed on the-mouth surface or lay 0 is an opening-d which extends. diagonally inward and upward and communicates with the main central' opening through the body portion a. upper andin'ner body portion a flange 6 which is ofsmaller diameter than the body portion a and which is ordinarily'provided' .i h a series 01" annular grooves at f. Referring to Figs. 2 to5ofthe drawings, the

mold includes abody member 1,-having a vertical recess Etherein conforming to-the exte rior contour orthe major portion of the mouth article to bemolded. As a-mat body memberQ-fronii the top to= the botwm piece-adjacent the flat Adj acent" the i is acoupling thereoit'and thereafterthe lower" portion of I the recess is closedby means :O'EZL plug 3. Theupper. portion of the plug is formed at an an gle so as to conformrto the exterior surface of the wall hot the mouth piece.

The body member also has formed-therein a verticalslot which communicates with therecess 2. A vertical plate-5 is provided which is adapted to fit and close the said slot i this I plate being laterally movable relatively to the body portion duringthe removal and dis assembly of the mold. Preferably-the inner surface .6 of theplate sha iedas toformthe flat surface or lay 00f the mouthpiece to be molded.

. Carried by the plate 5 is acore lug Twhi'ch,

when the plate is in assembled position, proectslaterallyinto the recess This core Ing is-adapted to form the lateralopening d j in the mouth" pieceand 'i'or a'inouth piece' of the type illustrated the core lug projects not only laterally but al'so'upward from its point of -connection with the plat Thus the lug is adapted to form an inner and-upward in cli-ned' la teral opening in the mouth piece.

lVhen the lug 7 PIOIjGCtSfHOt' only inward but also upward as shown anddescrlbed, we

prefer'to so c'onstructthe'slotd and the plate; taper from the bottomtowar'd the is so positioned and A. VI

opening (5 formed by the core lug Preferably and as clearly shown in 3, the core rod 8 is of greater diameter than the width of the h1g7 and it has a transverse slot 9 at its lower end adapted to receive therein the upper portionof the lug 7. The depending portions of the rod '8 at the sides of the slot are preferably rounded. These portions form spherical surfaces. at the lower end of the central opening in the mouth piece, which spherical surfaces lie at opposite sides ofthe opening (Z.

members together.

I c There is also provided an upper body member 10 which is provided with means conforming to the contour of the 3rojecting flange portion e of the mouthpiece. Suitable means, such as dowel pins 11, 11 are provided for properlylocating the upper body member. 10 with respect to the lower body member 1, and clamping means such as tapered clamps 12 are provided for holding the two body For forming the grooves f in the mouth piece the body member 10 is provided with a segmental-rang 13. This ring is removable from the body member 10 and the'parts of the. ring are separable from each other in order that they may be removed from the finished article. V l

The body member 10 is provided with a ver tical recess ltconcentric with the seat for the ring 13 and'the before-mentioned core rod 8 extends vertically through this recess 14:.

plate Preferably there is a bushing 15 separate from the rod 8 but surrounding and fitting it so as to permit relative sliding movei'nent. The exterior surface of the bushing 15 slidably fits the opening 145 in the body member 10.

In addition to the parts already described there is preferably provided a base plate 16 to whic-h the vertical plate 5 is secured, a plate 17 to which the bushing 15 is secured, and a plates 16, 17 and 18 are preferably provided with the usual holes (not shown) which are adapted to permit the use of jigs of the usual type for separating the parts of the-mold;

In order that the plate 5 may be held in the proper assembled relation with the body member 1, the said plate is provided with at least one and preferably two transverse holes perpendicular thereto and the, body member 1 is provided with similar holes registering.

therewith. The said holes are tapered so as to be adapted to receive taper dowel pins 20,

18 to which the rod 8 is secured. The

20 which can be driveninto placewhen themold isbeing assembled and which can be driven out when the mold is to be disassembled. Preterably in addition to the dowel pins we also provide transverse holes for receiving a tie bolt 21 which serves to prevent the body member from spreading or warping in such a way as to increase the width of the slot 4.

We have thus far described the mold as being adapted for the molding of a single mouth piece. vide a multiple mold and we have accordingly shown such a multiple mold in Figs. 3 and 4:. It will be understood that when a multiple mold is providedthere is for each additional article a duplication of the recesses in the body members and a duplication of all of the parts directly associated with such recesses. It will be understood, however, that all of the plates 5 are carried by a single base plate 16, that all of thebushings 15 are carried by a single plate 17 and that all of the rods 8 are carried by a single top'plate 18. It Will further be understood that a single pair of taper dowel pins 20, 20 and a single tie bolt 21 suflice for holding all of the plates 5 in properrela tion to the body member 1.

V In using the mold the plate 5 is entered in the slot 4 and the dowel'pins 20, 20 and the tie bolt 21 are put in place to hold the plate and the body member in the proper assembled relation. IVhen thus assembleghthe body mom-- her 1 rests upon the base 16 as shown in Fig. 6. The next step is to place the upperbody member 10 in place on the lower body mem We prefer,v however, toproon i her 1 with the segmental ring 12 in place as 7 clearly shown in Fig. 7. The body members 10' and 1 are clamped together as already described. a

When the parts have been assembled as shown in Fig. 7 the moldable material is introduced either in powder or briquette form, preferably the former. Then the bushing 15 is entered in the recess 14 of the upper body member 10 as shown in Fig. 8 and the rod 8 is entered in the bushing 15 as shown in the same figure. The two plates 17 and 18 will be initially separated from the body member 10 and preferably separated from each other even when the plate 18 has been lowered so that the rod 8'initially engages the moldable material.- The entire mold is then placed in a press and heated and closed in theusual manner, the parts moving to the relative positions shown. ing Figs. 2 and 3. The bushing 15 and the rod 8 cooperate to compress the moldable mate bly, the inner edge of the in disassembling themold may be varied but one suchsequence will be described. The rod Sand the bushing 15 may be withdrawn fi-rst, either togetheror in sequence as may be most convenient. The lug 7 may be withdrawn next, this being efiected by separating the plate 5 and thebody member 1 fromeach other in ardiagonal direction as shown in F ig. 9. This relative diagonal movement is brought about in part by reasonof the yengagement of the lower inclined surface of the lug 7 with the corresponding inclined surface of the mouth piece adjacent the opening (Z. Finally the clamps 12 may ;be removed to permitthe separation of thebody memberslO and 1 and the removalof the ring 13.

It will be understood that the'term verti? cal and horizontal andiother similar terms as used herelnjare intended merely-to indicate the relationship of the several partsand are'notto be construed asot-herwise limiting theinvention.

What Weclaim is:

1. Aniold forthe mouth pieceoi' a musical instrument or for a similar article, comprising in combination a body member having a verticalrecess therein conforming ;to the exterior contour of the major portion of the article to bemolded and having atone side a vertical slot therein communicating with the recess at one side-thereof, a vertical plate adapted to fit and close the said slot and relatively movable laterally with respect-to the body member during assembly and disassemplate when in assembled relation with the body member forming an .exterioriflat surface on the said article, a core lug carried by the plate and projecting laterally into the recess when the bodymember and platezarein assembled relation so as toform a lateral openingin the said article, and a depending central core rod movable vertically into or out oi engagement with the said core lug, the said rod forminga central opening in the said article communicating :with the lateral opening formed by the lug. v

2. A mold for the mouth piece of a musical instrument or for a similar article, comprising in combination a body member ghaving a vertical recess therein conforming to the exterior contour of themajor portion of the article to bemolded and-having at one-side a vertical slot therein communicating with v the recess atone side thereof, a vertical plate normally fitting and closing the said slot and carrying a'core lug normally projecting-into the recess in a diagonal inward and upward direction so as ,to form an inward and upward inclined lateral opening? in the said article, the said bodymember andthe said plate being adapted tolbe separated. by

relativemovement .in a diagonal direction approximating the direction ofpro1e ct1onot j the :l ug and a depending core rod :movable vertically into or out of engagement with the said core lug and adapted to form-a central openmg'm, the-said article communicat ng at its bottom with the upper. and inner Qendv of the lateral opening formed by the lug.

3. A moldfointhe mouth piece ofa musical instrument or tor fa similar-article, comprising in combination a body memberhaving-a vertical recess therein conforming to the ex- -terior contour of thermajorportion of the article andahaving at one side :a vertical slot therein communicating with the recess at one sidethereof, a vertical plate adapted to fit and close the :said slot and relatively {movable laterally with respect :to-the body member-during assembly and disassembly, a core lug carried by the plate and projecting lately ally .into: the recess when the body member and plate; are in assembled relationso as to form alateral opening in the said article, and a depending central, core rod movable vertica-lly into or out of engagementwith, the

said core lug, the said aod being of greater diameter than the width of the lug and being slotted at its lower cndto receive theupper portion of the lug so that the rod forms a relatively large central opening in thesaid article extending. downward below the upper portion of the lateral opening formed by the lugand communicating therewith.

y 4:. A mold for the mouthpiece of amusical instrument or for a similar article, comprising incombination a lower body member having a vertical recess therein conforming to theexterior contour-of the lower portion I said article, an upper an a member and having a vertical opening therein conforming to the exteriorcontour otthe upper portion of the said article, and a de-.

pending central corerod movable vertically lnto or out of engagement with the said core log, the said rod being guided in itsv movement bythe said upper body member and when in itslower position forming a central-opening i'n-thes i' ticlecommunicating with the lateral,openingiormed by the lug. i V j 5. A mold for thegmouthpiece of a musical instrument or'for a similar article, compris mg in c ombinationa' lower body. memberhaving a vertical recess therein conforming to the exterlor contour of the lower portion ofthe article to be molded and having-atone side a vertical. slot ,ther ein communicating.

with the recess at one side thereof, a vertical plate adapted to fitand close the said slot and relatively movable laterally withrespect to the body member during assembly and disassembly, a core lug carried by the plate and projecting laterally into the recesswhen' the body member and plate are in assembled relation so as to form a lateral opening in the said article, an upper body member separate from the lower body member and having a vertical opening therein conforming to the exterior contour of the upper portion of the said article, a bushing vertically movable in the opening in the upper body memher and adapted to be moved downward to compress moldable material in the mold and to form the upper end face of the said article, and a dependingcentral core rod movable vertically into or out of engagement with the said core lug, the said rod fitting the opening inthe bushing and being verti- V cally movable therein and when in its lower position forming a central opening in the said article communicating with the lateral opening formed by the lug.

6. Arnold for the mouth piece of a musical instrument or for a similar article, comprising in combination a lower body me1nher having a vertical recess therein conforn1- ing to the exterior contour of the lower portion of the article to be molded and having at one side a vertical slot therein communieating with the recess at one side thereof, a vertical plate adapted to fit and close thesaid' slot and relatively movable laterally with respect to the body member during assembly and disassembly, a core lug carried by the plate and projecting laterally into the recess when the body member and plate are in assembled relation so as to form a lateral opening in the said article, an upper body member separate from the lower body member and having a vertical opening therein conforming to the exterior contour of the upper portion of the said article, the said body member including a removable seg-- mental ring adapted to form annular grooves in the cally movable in the opening in. the upper body member and adapted to be moved clownward to compress moldable material in the mold and to form the upper end face of the said article, the lower end face of the bushing when in final position engaging the upper face of the ring, and a depending central core rod movable vertically into or out of engagement with the said core lug, the said rod fitting the opening in the bushing and being vertically movable therein and when in its lower position forming a central opening 111 the said article communicating with the lateral opening formed by the lug.

7. A mold for the mouth piece of a musical instrument or for asimilar article, comprismg in combinatlon a body member having a said article, a bushing verti-v vertical recess therein conforming to the eX- terior contour of the major'portion of the article to be molded and having at one side a vertical slot therein communicating with the recess at one side thereof, a vertical'plate adapted to fit and close the said slot and relativelymovable with respect to the body member during assembly and disassembly, the said slot and the said plate beingsimilarly tapered to facilitate the said relative movement, a core lug carried by the plate and projecting laterally into the recess when the body member and plate are in assembled relation so as toform a lateral opening in the said article, and a depending central core rod movable vertically into or out of engagement withthe said core lug, the said rod forming a central opening in'the said article communicating with the lateral opening formed by the lug.

8. A mold for the mouth piece of a musical instrument or for a similar article, comprising in combination a body member having a vertical recess therein conforming to the exterior contour of the major portion of the article to be molded'and having at one side a vertical slot therein communicating with the recess at one side thereof, a vertical plate, normally fitting and closing the said slot and carrying a core lugnormally projecting intothe recess in a "diagonal inward and upward direction so as to form an inward and upward inclined lateral opening in the said article, the said body member and'the said plate being adapted to be separated by relative movement in a diagonal direction approximating the direction of projection of the lug and the said slot and the said plate being tapered from the bottom thereof toward the top to facilitate the said relative movement, and a depending core rod movable vertically into or out of engagement with the said core lug and adapted to form a central opening in the said article communicating at its bottom with the upper and inner end of the lateral opening formed by the lug.

9. A mold for the mouth piece of a musical instrument or for a'similar article, comprising in combination a body member having a vertical recess therein conforming to the exterior contour of the major portion of the article to be molded and'having at oneside a vertical slot therein communicating with the recess at one side thereof, a vertical plate adapted to fit and close the said slot and relatively movable with respect to the body member during assembly and disassembly, the said body member and plate respectively having holes therein which are perpendicular to the plate and which register when the body and plate are in'assembled relation, a removable dowel pin adapted to extend through the said registering holes to hold the body member and plate in the said relative position, a corelug carried by the plate llll eeasse tral core rod movablevertically into or out of engagement with the said core lug, the said rod forming a central opening in the said article communicating With the lateral opening formed by the lug.

10. A mold for the month piece of a musical instrument or for a similar article, comprising in combination a body member having a vertical recess therein conforming to the exterior contour of themajor portion of the article to be molded and having at one side a vertical slot therein communicating .With the recess at one side thereof, aflat base adapted for supporting the said body memher, a vertical plate secured to the base and adapted to fit and close the said slot in the body member, the said base and plate being movable relatively to the body member during assembly and disassembly, a core lug carried by the plate and projecting laterally into the recess When the body member and plate are in assembled relationso; as to form a lateral opening in the said article, and a 7 depending central core rod movable vertiing in the said article communicating with the lateral opening formed by the lug.

WVM. F. SCHMALZ;

' cally into or out of engagement with the'said' 7 core lug, the said rod forming a central open- ROBERT onn.v 

